Sustainable utilization of resources and environmental management in coastal areas of the Harima Sea (eastern area of the Seto Inland Sea)

Abstract

The use of coastal regions is expected to become diversified and multiple uses in the future, as reflected in the recent rising interest in waterfront areas. In order to promote a more sustainable form of resource utilization, the coordination with environmental conservation issues among various users is essential to future waterfront development. To help draft proper policies for overall coordination among and management of these different requirements, this paper reports the development of an empirical model, based on a case study of the Harima Sea coastal area (eastern area of the Seto Inland Sea), which explores ways to achieve sustainable utilization and optimum environmental conservation of coastal area resources.